Inuvialuktun

The Inuvialuit belong to three linguistic groups. Collectively the three dialects are known as the Inuvialuktun language:

• Uummarmiutun meaning the language of the “people of the evergreens and willows” is spoken in the tree-lined inland communities of Aktlarvik (Aklavik) and Inuuvik (Inuvik).
• Sallirmiutun meaning the language of the “people located farthest along the coastline” is spoken in the coastal communities of Paulatuuq (Paulatuk), Ikaahuk (Sachs Harbour) and Tuktuuyaqtuuq (Tuktoyaktuk). 
• Kangiryuarmiutun meaning the language of the “people of the large bay” is spoken in the community of Ulukhaktuuq (Ulukhaktok) on Victoria Island. 

English is spoken widely in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region, but unfortunately Inuvialuktun is classified as an endangered language because it is spoken by fewer than 50% of the population, many of whom are elders.

The Inuvialuit Cultural Centre (ICRC) opened in May 1998. Together with the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation it has supported several oral history projects. Its mandate includes:

• Developing a language plan for the region
• Creating an Inuvialuktun language curriculum
• Providing Inuvialuktun teachers with resource materials
• Preserving and modernizing the language

Search for language lessons or hear recordings in all three dialects of Inuvialuktun at the Inuvialuit Digital Library.

Inuvialuktun Books

As part of its mandate to preserve and promote Inuvialuktun, ICRC has produced books in each of the three dialects. Please click on the button below to access the book collection.